Intelligent POE Sensor Architecture, System and Method

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of Power Over Ethernet sensors providing processed signals directly to User devices or via a sensor processing system. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments described herein relate generally to digitalsensors, including digital sensor apparatus, systems, and methods.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It may be desirable to provide a digital sensor that providesintelligent sensor signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an intelligent Power over Ethernet (POE)sensor (IPS) architecture according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another intelligent Power over Ethernet(POE) sensor (IPS) architecture according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3D are diagrams of communication between an intelligent POEsensor (IPS) device, an IPS processing system, and a User device in IPSarchitecture according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 3E-3F are diagrams of communication between an intelligent POEsensor (IPS) device and a User device in IPS architecture according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 3G is a diagram of communications between an intelligent POE sensor(IPS) processing system and a User device in IPS architecture accordingto various embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of IPS architecture providing a user devicesetup/login web page via an IPS processing system according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of IPS architecture providing a sensorinformation request web page via an IPS processing system according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 4C is a block diagram of IPS architecture providing a sensorinformation display web page via an IPS processing system according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 4D is a block diagram of IPS architecture providing a sensorinformation display web page via an IPS device according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of an IPS processing system according tovarious embodiments.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of an IPS device according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 6A is a flow diagram illustrating several methods for execution byan IPS processing system according to various embodiments.

FIG. 6B is a flow diagram illustrating several methods for execution byan IPS device according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7A-7E are flow diagrams illustrating several methods for processingsensor signals at an IPS device according to various embodiments.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of an article according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of an article according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram of an IPS device according to variousembodiments.

FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram of a POE module according to variousembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, a User 136 may want to employ a sensor device orapparatus 12A-E in a remote or harsh environment 50A-50B. Theenvironment 50A-50B where a User 136 may wish to employ a sensor devicemay also have limited or no wireless conductivity. Further, a User 136may want real time sensor data or alerts as a function of the sensordevice's function or use. In addition, a User 136 may want or need toreceive processed sensor information from a sensor device 12A-E versussensor signals where the processed information may represent thecombination of data from several sensors. The sensor signals correlationto measured values may vary by sensor devices or applications. In anembodiment, the sensor device 12A-E may receive operational energy andcommunicate signals via a signal connector 184 including via a Powerover Ethernet (POE) compliant interface and connector 184. In anembodiment, the sensor devices 12A-E may be Intelligent POE sensors(IPS) devices.

FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram of an IPS device 12A according to variousembodiments. As shown in FIG. 9, an IPS device 12A may include sensorhardware 230 (shown in FIG. 8A) coupled to a multiple pin 186 electricalconnector 184 in a housing 182. In an embodiment, the housing 182 mayprovide a hermetic and insulated environment for the sensor hardware 230including in underwater applications. The electrical connector 184 mayenable wet environment connections including underwater connections inan embodiment. In an embodiment, a User 136 may employ or deploy manyIPS devices 12A-E at various locations as a function of sensor types,environment, application, and tolerances. In an embodiment, a User 136via their device 22A may communicate directly (FIG. 2), indirectly(FIG. 1) with an IPS device 12A-12E to request and receive processedsensor information, or a combination of both.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of intelligent POE sensor (IPS) architecture50A according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, IPSarchitecture 50A includes a first and a second IPS processing systems40A, 40B, several IPS devices 12A-E, several user devices 22A-B, andwired/wireless networks 30A, 30B. In an embodiment, an IPS processingsystem (IPS processing system) 40A, 40B may process POE sensor devicesignals and may communicate processed sensor data and other informationand controls with IPS devices 12A-E and User devices 22A-22B via awired, wireless, or combination of both connections 30A, 30B. In anembodiment, an IPS device 12A-E may communicate initially via a wiredconnection to a network 30A, 30B and then may be communicated to an IPSsystem 40A, 40B or User device 22A-22B via any combination of wired andwireless connections.

An IPS processing system 40A, 40B may include a multimedia server 42A,42B that may enable HTML and other communications between an IPSprocessing system 40A, 40B and a plurality of wired Ethernet networkedIPS devices 12A-E and wired, wireless, or combination of both networkedUser devices 22A-B. An IPS processing system 40A, 40B may employ anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (274 FIG. 7B) totransceive signals directly or indirectly with wired Ethernet networkedIPS devices 12A-E and wired, wirelessly, or combination of bothnetworked User devices 22A-B. An IPS processing system 40A, 40B server42A, 42B may be a webserver that communicates data that may be processedby a web browser application 23 resident on a User device 22A-B.

In an embodiment, an IPS processing system 40A, 40B server 42A, 42B maygenerate Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) encoded data that a Userdevice 22A-22B may process via a resident web browser 23. As shown inFIG. 4C, the HTML pages may include sensor information 77C. Theinformation 77C may include formatted sensor information includinggraphs, charts, numerical data, comparison, alerts, ranges, averages andother statistical information 78C for one or more sensors 75C to 76Cassociated or communicating with the IPS processing system 40A-40B.

In an embodiment, an IPS device 12A-12E may also include a sensor dataserver 16A may be include a webserver that communicates data that may beprocessed by a web browser application 23 resident on a User device22A-B. In an embodiment, an IPS device 12A-12E sensor data server 16Amay generate Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) encoded data that a Userdevice 22A-22B may process via a resident web browser 23. As shown inFIG. 4D, the HTML pages may include sensor information 77D. Theinformation 77D may include formatted sensor information includinggraphs, charts, numerical data, comparison, alerts, ranges, averages andother statistical information 78D for one or more sensors 75D to 76Dassociated with the IPS device 12A-12E.

In an embodiment, an IPS processing system 40A, 40B server 42A, 42B maycommunicate data including media to a User device (UD) 22A-22B usingother protocols including application specific protocols. A UD 22A-22Bmay include a program to decode/encode the application specific protocolcommunications between the UD 22A-22B and an IPS processing system 40A,40B. Similarly, an IPS processing system 40A, 40B server 42A, 42B maycommunicate data with an IPS device 12A-12E using other protocolsincluding application specific protocols. An IPS device 12A-12E mayinclude a program to decode/encode the application specific protocolcommunications between the IPS device 12A-12E and an IPS processingsystem 40A, 40B.

As shown in FIG. 1, an IPS device 12A-12E may be coupled with an IPSprocessing system 40A, 40B via a network 30A. The network 30A may be alocal network or a network of networks and include wired and wirelesscommunication networks. An IPS device 12C may be coupled directly orindirectly to an IPS processing system 40B via a wired connectionincluding an Ethernet connection. In another embodiment, an IPS device12D, 12E may communicate with an IPS processing system 40B via a network30B. Similarly, a UD 22A may be coupled directly to an IPS processingsystem 40B via a wired connection including an Ethernet connection. Inanother embodiment, a UD 22B may communicate with an IPS processingsystem 40B via a network 30B.

The networks 30A, 30B may be local networks or a network of networks andsupport/enable combinations of wired and wireless communication. An IPSdevice 12A-12E may include a POE interface 14A-14E (233 FIG. 10) thatenables wired IP based communication with an IPS processing system 40A,40B. As shown in FIG. 10, a POE interface 14A-14E may communicate dataover data lines 96A and receive power 96B over the data lines 96A andpower lines via transformers 94B, diode bridges 92A, 92B and switches93A as a function of the POE power class. The network 30A, 30B mayinclude local networks, a network of networks, or a worldwide network ofnetworks, termed the “Internet”, cellular network, or WiMAX networks. Inan embodiment, a UD 22A-B may communicate with an IPS processing system40A, 40B via several networks. It is noted that in an embodiment, thenetworks 30A, 30B may be support industrial, scientific and medical(ISM) radio bands, Groupe Special Mobile (GSM), Code-division multipleaccess (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), mesh, and shortmessaging system (SMS) based network, WiMAX, IP (wired, wireless, orcombination of both network) such as 802.11a, b, g, n networks.

A network 30A, 30B may be a terrestrially based network orsatellite-based network, or combination thereof. Each UD 22A-22B mayinclude an interface 24A-24B that enables communication between a UD22A-22B and an IPS processing system 40A, 40B via a network 30A, 30Bdirectly or indirectly. In an embodiment, a UD 22A-22B may be cellulardevice such an iPhone® or other smartphone, tablet device including aniPad®, laptop, tablet, desktop, or other electronic device capable ofcommunicating via one or more wired, wireless, or combination of bothprotocols and capable of electronically reading an image. In anembodiment, an IPS processing system 40A, 40B may be an electronicdevice 260 (FIG. 8B) that may include a module 274 to communicatesignals with a UD 22A-22B and IPS devices 12A-12E. An IPS processingsystem 40A, 40B may also include a server 42A, 42B (292, FIG. 7B).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a local intelligent POE sensor (IPS)architecture 50B according to various embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2,architecture 70B may include a UD 22C couplable to a plurality of IPSdevices 12A-D via a network 30C. The network 30C may be a local networkor a network of networks in an embodiment that include a combination ofwired and wireless networks or connections. As noted, an IPS device12A-E may include a sensor server 16A that can communicate sensorinformation directly with a UD 22C versus via an IPS processing system40A, 40B. In an embodiment, an IPS device 12A-D may communicate sensorinformation with a UD 22C and IPS processing systems 40A, 40B.

FIG. 3G is a diagram of a user setup/login communication 110G between aUD 22A and an IPS processing system 40A in IPS architecture 50Aaccording to various embodiments. Via a UD 22A, a User 136 may generatea URL or URL login request 82G and send the request to an IPS processingsystem 40A, 40B via its interface 24A and networks 30A, 30B. Via thenetwork 30A, 30B, IP protocols, and its transceiver 274 (FIG. 8B), anIPS processing system 40A may receive the URL/URL request 82G.

An IPS processing system 40A, 40B may provide a user setup/login entrypage 84G (FIG. 3G) in communication 110G, page 74A, FIG. 4A, for areceived URL or URL request 82G. The IPS processing system database 49Amay include a table that links one or more users with a URL. In responseto a received user setup/login entry page communication 84G (FIG. 3G)web page 72A, FIG. 4A, a user 136 via a UD 22A-22B may create an accountor login to an account. A User 136 may be able to select a user name andpassword 73A (or enter same if registered to login) and select one ormore options 79A or select a user menu 71A. The options may includeprivacy settings, user demographics, a registered UD 22A-22B to beassociated with the IPS processing system 40A, 40B, and other optionsand forward login entries via communication 86G.

Once a User 136 is registered/logged in an IPS processing system 40A,40B (activity 174A), an IPS processing system 40A, 40B may provide asensor information request web page 72B (FIG. 4B) communication 81A(FIG. 3A) via network 30A, 30B. A User 136 via a sensor informationrequest web page 72B may select to receive information from one or moresensors A to X 75B to 76B (IPS device 12A-12E). The sensor page 74B mayindicate the sensor type(s) and location. A User 136 may be able tocontrol the mode of operation of a sensor A to X via the selection 77Band other controls via properties 78B. For example, a sensor of an IPSdevice 12A-12E may have multiple selectable modes of operation includinga tilt sensor that have a 9-axis, uniaxial electrolytic (UE) tilt, andBi-Axial mems mode as shown in FIG. 7D.

A UD 22A-22B may forward the User's selections on the sensor informationrequest web page 72B to an IPS device 12A-12E via a request sensorinformation communication 82A (FIG. 3A). Based on the User's 136 sensorselections, an IPS processing system 40A, 40B may forward a sensor datarequest communication 84A to one or more associated IPS devices 12A-12E.An IPS device 12A-12E upon receipt of a request sensor datacommunication 84A may process, continue processing, or start recordingand processing selected sensor data. An IPS device 12A-12E may includeseveral modules shown in FIG. 5B and employ algorithm 140B shown in FIG.6B to process sensor data and respond to sensor signal/informationrequests from an IPS processing system 40A-B or UD 22A-22C.

As shown in FIG. 5B, an IPS sensor device 12A-12E may include a securitymodule 11A, one or more programmable sensors 13A, communication module14A, sensor signal processor 15A, sensor data/signal server 16A, andpower over Ethernet module 17. In order to provide sensor informationdirectly to a UD 22A-22C as shown in FIG. 4D via a sensor informationdisplay 72D or in other applications, an IPS sensor device 12A-12E mayfurther include an interface table 19A and sensor database 18A. The IPSsensor device 12A-12E may include the table 19A and sensor database 18Ato process any sensor signal requests (from an IPS processing system40A, 40B or UD 22A-22C).

The interface table 19A may include IPS processing system 40A, 40B or UD22A-22C listing/registrations that may be employed by the securitymodule 11A to ensure only authorized IPS processing systems 40A, 40B andUDs 22A-22C receive sensor signals/information. The sensorsignals/information may be confidential or protected and include seismicdata, acceleration data, tilt data, and other movement type data orsignals where its knowledge may be protected or confidential in anembodiment (including monitoring possible nuclear activity). The tablesettings and configuration may be associated with IPS processing systems40A, 40B, Users of a UD 22A-22C, and sensors of an IPS device 12A-12E.

The sensor database 18A may store raw sensor data, processed signal data(signals), and geographical data (where/when the sensor data wasobtained). In an embodiment, an IPS device 12A-12E may process and storesensor data (activity 144B) when a sensor event occurs (activity 142B).A sensor event may include an automatic event set by a UD 22A-22C, IPSprocessing system 40A-40B, or IPS device 12A-12E configuration includingsensor data exceeding a certain threshold. The sensor event may alsoinclude a time event, such as an automatic sample to be taken atperiodic intervals. The time intervals for periodic sampling may also beset by a UD 22A-22C, IPS processing system 40A-40B, or IPS device12A-12E configuration. A sensor event may also be a request from a UD22A-22C, IPS processing system 40A-40B, or other IPS device 12A-12E forsensor information or signals.

In an embodiment, an IPS device 12A-E may process data sampled from oneor more sensors 13A of the device 12A-E and may process the data basedon selected configuration(s) to form sensor signals and otherinformation including statistical information where the resultantsignals and information may be stored in database 18A. An IPS device12A-E may employ algorithms 160A-160E shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E to processposition/movement-based sensor data 13A in an embodiment. The IPS device12A-E sensor signal processor 15A may include one or more digital signalprocessors (DSP) or one or more application specific integrated circuits(ASIC) to process sensor data including to perform the algorithms160A-160E shown in FIGS. 7A to 7E.

For example, in the algorithm shown in FIG. 7A, the sensor signalprocessor 15A may conduct a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of time-baseddata arrays formed from captured signals converted to floating pointnumbers sampled 1000 times per second (activities 162A, 164A, and 166A).An IPS device 12A-E may store the FFT results or analysis in a database18A (activity 168A) and determine and store max and min values (of theFFT results) in the database 18 a (activity 172A). The IPS device 12A-Emay further compare the max-min values to preset limits to determine ifan event has occurred and store the analysis in the database 18A(activity 174A).

In another embodiment as a function of sensor configurations, an IPSdevice 12A-E may employ algorithm 160B shown in FIG. 7B to processsensor data. In algorithm 160B, the sensor signal processor 15A maycalculate phase angles of time-based data arrays formed from capturedsignals converted to floating point numbers sampled 1000 times persecond (activities 162B, 164B, and 166B). An IPS device 12A-E may storethe phase angle calculations in a database 18A (activity 168B) anddetermine and store max and min values (of the phase angle calculations)in the database 18 a (activity 172B). The IPS device 12A-E may furthercompare the max-min values to preset limits to determine if an event hasoccurred and store the analysis in the database 18A (activity 174B).

In a further embodiment as a function of sensor configurations, an IPSdevice 12A-E may employ algorithm 160C shown in FIG. 7C to processsensor data. In algorithm 160C, the sensor signal processor 15A may XYZfilter the 50 samples of data converted to floating point numbers basedon past data values (activities 162C, 164C, and 166C). The sensor signalprocessor 15A may then perform programmable gate array (PGA)calculations on filtered floats to determine if an event has occurred(activities 168C and 172C). An IPS device 12A-E may store thecalculations in a database 18A (activity 174C) when an event is notdetected (activity 172C). An IPS device 12A-E may store the last 5seconds of data and related calculations in the database 18A and set anevent flag when an event is detected (activity 172C and 174C).

In algorithm 160D, an IPS device 12A-E may direct sensors 13A to collectone of three types of data as a function of the selected mode ofoperation or configurations (activities 162D-174D). In 9-axisaccelerometer mode (activity 162D), a 9-axis accelerometer sensor 13Amay be directed to read 3 axes (activity 164D). In uniaxial electrolytic(UE) tilt mode, (activity 166D), a uniaxial electrolytic (UE) tiltsensor 13A may be directed to read 2 sensors (activity 164D). In biaxialmems mode, (activity 172D), a biaxial mems sensor 13A may be directed toread 2 axes (activity 174D).

In each mode, a sensor signal processor 15A may capture the resultantdata in binary codes and convert the binary codes to floating pointnumbers that are stored in time-based arrays stored in database 18A(activities 176D and 178D). A sensor signal processor 15A may filter thefloating-point numbers based on past data and perform tilt calculationson the filtered data (activities 182D and 184D). An IPS device 12A-E maystore the results or analysis as floating-point variables in a database18A (activity 186D). The IPS device 12A-E may further compare theresults to preset limits to determine if an event has occurred and storethe analysis in the database 18A (activity 188D).

An IPS device 12A-E via sensor signal processor 15A may perform otheralgorithms to process sensor data including algorithm 160E show in FIG.7E. In algorithm 160E, a sensor signal processor 15A may capture sensordata in binary codes and convert the binary codes to floating pointnumbers that are stored in time-based arrays stored in database 18A(activities 162E and 164E). A sensor signal processor 15A may filter thefloating-point numbers based on past data and determined the time-basedangular motion of the filtered data (activities 166E and 168E). An IPSdevice 12A-E may store the results or analysis as floating-pointvariables in a database 18A (activity 172E). The IPS device 12A-E mayfurther compare the results to preset limits to determine if an eventhas occurred and store the analysis in the database 18A (activity 174E).

Returning to algorithm 140B of FIG. 6B, an IPS device 12A-12E mayforward processed sensors signals to IPS processing systems 40A-40B or auser device sensor information display 72D as shown in FIG. 4D to a UD22A-C. In an embodiment, an IPS device 12A-12E may forward the processedsensor data upon request (communication 86A in FIG. 3A) or periodically(communication 82C in FIG. 3C) to IPS processing systems 40A-40B.Similarly, an IPS device 12A-12E may forward the user device sensorinformation display 72D upon request (communications 82E and 84E in FIG.3E) or periodically (communications 82F and 84F in FIG. 3F) to a UD22A-C.

In an embodiment, an IPS processing system 40A, 40B may include severalmodules shown in FIG. 5A and employ algorithm 140A shown in FIG. 6A toprocess sensor data and respond to sensor signal/information requestsfrom a UD 22A-22C. As shown in FIG. 5A, an IPS processing system 40A-40Bmay include a security module 41A, a sensor data processor 44A, a server42A, a sensor data server 46A, a communications module 43A, and adatabase 48A. The security module 41A may process login andregistrations requests via display 72A shown in FIG. 4A to verify a User136 or their device 22A-22C is authorized to receive sensor information.In algorithm 140A, once sensor data or signals are received from an IPSdevice 12A-12E (activity 142A), the sensor signals may be processed viasensor signal processor 44A and stored in database 48A (activity 144A).The sensor signal processor 44A may include a DSP or ASIC and performadditional analysis on the processed sensor data in an embodiment.

When a User 136 requests sensor information or information is to beperiodically provided to a User 136 via their UD 22A-C (activity 146A),and sensor information has not been received (activity 148A), thecommunications module 43A may request sensor signals from one or moreIPS devices 12A-12E (activity 152A). Otherwise, received sensor signalsmay be processed via sensor signal processor 44A and stored in database48A (activity 1MA), formatted via sensor data server 46A, and forwardedto the User 136 via their UD 22A-C via the server 42A and communicationmodule 43A (in an HTML page in an embodiment) (activity 156A). As shownin FIGS. 4C and 4D, sensor information display page 74C, 74D may includesensor A to X 75C to 76C information displayed in various formats 77Cand related statistical information 78C.

FIG. 8A illustrates a block diagram of a device 230 that may be employedat least in part in an IPS device 12A-12D or UD 22A-22C in variousembodiments. The device 230 may include a central processing unit (CPU)232, a random-access memory (RAM) 234, a read only memory (ROM) 237, aPOE modem/transceiver 244, a display 247, a camera 256, a speaker 245, arechargeable electrical storage element 256, analog sensors 254A,digital sensors 254B, analog to digital (A/D) converter 255, and anantenna 246. The CPU 232 may include digital sensors 254B. Analogsensors may communicate digital signals to the CPU 232 via the A/Dconverter 255. The RAM 234 may include a queue or table 248 where thequeue 248 may be used to store sensor data/signals/information. The RAM234 may also include program, algorithm, and system data andinstructions. The rechargeable electrical storage element may be abattery or capacitor in an embodiment.

The POE modem/transceiver 244 may couple, in a well-known manner, thedevice 230 to a wired, wireless, or combination of both network 30A, 30Bto enable communication with an IPS processing system 40A-40D. Themodem/transceiver 244 may also be able to receive global positioningsignals (GPS) and the CPU 232 may be able to convert the GPS signals tolocation data that may be stored in the RAM 234. The ROM 237 may storeprogram instructions to be executed by the CPU 232 or control interface254 (applications 237A). The applications 237A may a web browser programor application. The RAM 234 may also be used to store program sensorinformation, queues, databases, and overhead information.

FIG. 8B illustrates a block diagram of a device 260 that may be employedat least in part in an IPS processing system 40A-40D in variousembodiments. The device 260 may include a central processing unit (CPU)262, a random-access memory (RAM) 264, a read only memory (ROM) 266, adisplay 268, a user input device 272, a transceiver application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) 274, a microphone 288, a speaker 282, storage276, electrical energy storage unit 286, and an antenna 284. The CPU 262may include a server 292. The RAM 264 may include a queue 278 where thequeue 278 may store sensor data/signals/information. The server 292 mayfunction as the web-server/42A, 42B of the IPS processing system 40A,40B.

The ROM 266 is coupled to the CPU 262 and may store the programinstructions to be executed by the CPU 262 and the server 292. The ROM266 may include applications and instructions for the security module41A, server 42A, communication module 43A, sensor data processor 44A,sensor data server 46A, and database module 48A. The RAM 264 may becoupled to the CPU 262 and may store temporary program data, overheadinformation, sensor data, and the queues 278. The user input device 272may comprise an input device such as a keypad, touch pad screen, trackball or other similar input device that allows the user to navigatethrough menus in order to operate the device 260. The display 268 may bean output device such as a CRT, LCD or other similar screen display thatenables the user to read, view, or hear multimedia content.

The microphone 288 and speaker 282 may be incorporated into the device260. The microphone 288 and speaker 282 may also be separated from thedevice 260. Received data may be transmitted to the CPU 262 via a serialbus 275 where the data may include sensor data, signals, andinformation, or web pages to be transmitted, or protocol information.The transceiver ASIC 274 may include an instruction set necessary tocommunicate messages or web pages via network 30A, 30B. The ASIC 274 maybe coupled to the antenna 284 to communicate messages, content, or pageswireless. When a message is received by the transceiver ASIC 274, itscorresponding data may be transferred to the CPU 262 via the serial bus276. The data can include wireless protocol, overhead information,sensor, and pages to be processed by the device 260 in accordance withthe methods described herein.

The rechargeable electrical storage element 286 may be a battery orcapacitor in an embodiment. The storage 276 may be any digital storagemedium and may be coupled to the CPU 262 and may store temporary programdata, overhead information, and databases 48, 49.

Any of the components previously described can be implemented in anumber of ways, including embodiments in software. Any of the componentspreviously described can be implemented in a number of ways, includingembodiments in software. Thus, the devices 230, 260 elements includingthe RAM 234, ROM 237, CPU 232, transceiver 244, storage 276, CPU 262,RAM 264, ROM 266, and transceiver ASIC 274, may all be characterized as“modules” herein.

The modules may include hardware circuitry, single or multi-processorcircuits, memory circuits, software program modules and objects,firmware, and combinations thereof, as desired by the architect of thearchitecture 10 and as appropriate for particular implementations ofvarious embodiments.

The apparatus and systems of various embodiments may be useful inapplications other than a sales architecture configuration. They are notintended to serve as a complete description of all the elements andfeatures of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structuresdescribed herein.

Applications that may include the novel apparatus and systems of variousembodiments include electronic circuitry used in high-speed computers,communication and signal processing circuitry, modems, single ormulti-processor modules, single or multiple embedded processors, dataswitches, and application-specific modules, including multilayer,multi-chip modules. Such apparatus and systems may further be includedas sub-components within a variety of electronic systems, such astelevisions, cellular telephones, personal computers (e.g., laptopcomputers, desktop computers, handheld computers, tablet computers,etc.), workstations, radios, video players, audio players (e.g., mp3players), vehicles, medical devices (e.g., heart monitor, blood pressuremonitor, etc.) and others. Some embodiments may include a number ofmethods.

It may be possible to execute the activities described herein in anorder other than the order described. Various activities described withrespect to the methods identified herein can be executed in repetitive,serial, or parallel fashion.

A software program may be launched from a computer-readable medium in acomputer-based system to execute functions defined in the softwareprogram. Various programming languages may be employed to createsoftware programs designed to implement and perform the methodsdisclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientatedformat using an object-oriented language such as Java or C++.Alternatively, the programs may be structured in a procedure-orientatedformat using a procedural language, such as assembly or C. The softwarecomponents may communicate using a number of mechanisms well known tothose skilled in the art, such as application program interfaces orinter-process communication techniques, including remote procedurecalls. The teachings of various embodiments are not limited to anyparticular programming language or environment.

The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show, by way ofillustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which thesubject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may beutilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logicalsubstitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scopeof this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments isdefined only by the appended claims, along with the full range ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any single invention or inventive concept, if more thanone is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have beenillustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achievethe same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown.This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In the foregoing Detailed Description,various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is notto be interpreted to require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may be found in less thanall features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the followingclaims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with eachclaim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

1. A sensor apparatus including: a plurality of sensors, each sensorincluding a plurality of selectable modes of operation for measuring aphysical attribute and providing a signal representative of the measuredphysical attribute based on the selected mode of operation; and acommunications module transceiving data signals including: receivingdigital data signals via a wired connection, receiving power sufficientto operate the sensor apparatus via the digital data signals, thereceived digital data signals selecting the mode of operation of one ofthe plurality of selectable modes of operation for one of the pluralityof sensors, and sending digital data signals representing the measuredphysical attribute of the one of the plurality of sensors based on theselected mode of operation of the plurality of selectable modes ofoperation for the one of the plurality of sensors.
 2. The sensorapparatus of claim 1, further including a sensor signal processor forprocessing digital signals representing the measured physical attributeof the one of the plurality of sensors based on the selected mode ofoperation of the plurality of selectable modes of operation for the oneof the plurality of sensors to provide the digital data signals, thedigital data signals related to the measured physical attribute andhaving units related to the measured physical attribute.
 3. The sensorapparatus of claim 1, the sensor processing apparatus further includinga webserver, the webserver generating an HTML, page to be communicatedto a user device, the page including the digital data signalsrepresenting the measured physical attribute of the one of the pluralityof sensors based on the selected mode of operation of the plurality ofselectable modes of operation for the one of the plurality of sensors,and the communication module sending the HTML page to a user device. 4.The sensor apparatus of claim 3, receiving a digital data signal fromthe user device, the digital data signal selecting the mode of operationof one of the plurality of selectable modes of operation for one of theplurality of sensors.
 5. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, whereinreceived digital data signals request the one of the plurality ofsensors to measure the physical attribute based on the selected one ofthe plurality of selectable modes of operation and the one of theplurality of sensors measures the physical attribute based on theselected one of the plurality of selectable modes of operation based thereceived request.
 6. The sensor apparatus of claim 3, wherein receiveddigital data signals from a user device request the one of the pluralityof sensors to measure the physical attribute based on the selected oneof the plurality of selectable modes of operation and the one of theplurality of sensors measures the physical attribute based on theselected one of the plurality of selectable modes of operation based thereceived request.
 7. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one ofthe plurality of sensors measures the physical attribute based on theselected one of the plurality of selectable modes of operationperiodically.
 8. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein communicationmodule receives data and power based on a power over ethernet standard.9. The sensor apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of selectablemodes of operation of the one of the plurality of sensors includes atleast three different modes of operation.
 10. The sensor apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of selectable modes of operation of theone of the plurality of sensors includes a 9-axis mode, a uniaxialelectrolytic (UE) tilt mode, and a Bi-Axial mems mode.
 11. A method ofmeasuring one of a plurality of physical attributes at a location unableto receive wireless sensors, including: employing a sensor apparatus ata desired location, the sensor apparatus including: a plurality ofsensors, each sensor including a plurality of selectable modes ofoperation for measuring a physical attribute and providing a signalrepresentative of the measured physical attribute based on the selectedmode of operation; and at the communications module receiving digitaldata signals via a wired connection from a device, at the communicationsmodule receiving power sufficient to operate the sensor apparatus viathe digital data signals, at the communications module receiving digitaldata signals selecting the mode of operation of one of the plurality ofselectable modes of operation for one of the plurality of sensors fromthe device, and at the communications module sending digital datasignals representing the measured physical attribute of the one of theplurality of sensors based on the selected mode of operation of theplurality of selectable modes of operation for the one of the pluralityof sensors to the device.
 12. The method of measuring one of a pluralityof physical attributes at a location unable to receive wireless sensorsof claim 11, further including at sensor signal processor of the sensorapparatus processing digital signals representing the measured physicalattribute of the one of the plurality of sensors based on the selectedmode of operation of the plurality of selectable modes of operation forthe one of the plurality of sensors and at the communications modulesending the processed digital data signals, the processed digital datasignals related to the measured physical attribute and having unitsrelated to the measured physical attribute to the device.
 13. The methodof measuring one of a plurality of physical attributes at a locationunable to receive wireless sensors of claim 11, wherein the sensorprocessing apparatus includes a webserver and including at the webservergenerating an HTML, page to be communicated to the device, the pageincluding the digital data signals representing the measured physicalattribute of the one of the plurality of sensors based on the selectedmode of operation of the plurality of selectable modes of operation forthe one of the plurality of sensors, and at the communication modulesending the HTML page to the device.
 14. The method of measuring one ofa plurality of physical attributes at a location unable to receivewireless sensors of claim 13, at the communications module receiving adigital data signal from the user device, the digital data signalselecting the mode of operation of one of the plurality of selectablemodes of operation for one of the plurality of sensors.
 15. The methodof measuring one of a plurality of physical attributes at a locationunable to receive wireless sensors of claim 11, at the communicationsmodule receiving digital data signals requesting the one of theplurality of sensors to measure the physical attribute based on theselected one of the plurality of selectable modes of operation and theone of the plurality of sensors measures the physical attribute based onthe selected one of the plurality of selectable modes of operation basedthe received request.
 16. The method of measuring one of a plurality ofphysical attributes at a location unable to receive wireless sensors ofclaim 13, at the communications module receiving digital data signalsfrom the user device requesting the one of the plurality of sensors tomeasure the physical attribute based on the selected one of theplurality of selectable modes of operation and the one of the pluralityof sensors measures the physical attribute based on the selected one ofthe plurality of selectable modes of operation based the receivedrequest.
 17. The method of measuring one of a plurality of physicalattributes at a location unable to receive wireless sensors of claim 11,at the one of the plurality of sensors measuring the physical attributebased on the selected one of the plurality of selectable modes ofoperation periodically.
 18. The method of measuring one of a pluralityof physical attributes at a location unable to receive wireless sensorsof claim 11, at the communication module receiving data and power basedon a power over ethernet standard.
 19. The method of measuring one of aplurality of physical attributes at a location unable to receivewireless sensors of claim 11, wherein the plurality of selectable modesof operation of the one of the plurality of sensors includes at leastthree different modes of operation.
 20. The method of measuring one of aplurality of physical attributes at a location unable to receivewireless sensors of claim 11, wherein the plurality of selectable modesof operation of the one of the plurality of sensors includes a 9-axismode, a uniaxial electrolytic (UE) tilt mode, and a Bi-Axial mems mode.